Pink Friday (fragrance)

Pink Friday is the first fragrance created by American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress and model Nicki Minaj with Give Back Brands,[1] first released on September 22, 2012 in the US and Australia. The bottle was designed by Lance McGregor of Paul Meyers and Friends. Elizabeth Arden bought the licence to distribute the fragrance to major retail stores worldwide. With the success of "Pink Friday", Minaj released two limited edition flankers of the fragrance called "Pink Friday Special Edition", and "Pink Friday Deluxe Edition", respectively. The perfume was nominated for three 2013 FiFi Awards for Fragrance of the Year, Best Packaging, and Media Campaign of the Year. Pink Friday was succeeded by the fragrances "Minajesty" and "Onika".

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I've been thinking about a fragrance, for like, the last two years actually; I knew I was going to call it Pink Friday,... I didn't know I would have a pink wig on the bottle until I met with the fragrance company and they asked me what I wanted my bottle to look like and I said — is there any way we can put a pink wig on it?

Minaj first alluded to "Pink Friday" in her verse on Drakes "Make Me Proud"in 2011, rapping, "It's MAC, OPI, and a fragrance too/ apparel I'm dominating in every avenue". Minaj and Give Back Brands worked on the fragrance throughout 2011 and early 2012, from an interview with BET Minaj stated "I like scents that feel summery, but have a va-va-voom I want to smell like a sexy and confident woman, not like candy". Speaking of the development of the fragrance Minaj is quoted saying:

Pink Friday is a celebration of my life at this moment; it is a reflection of me as a creator, and an expression of me as a woman. I know my Barbz will connect with and appreciate each aspect – from the name, to the outrageous bottle design, to the vibrant colors that create their own song. Pink Friday shows off my personality and style; it's exciting to express my voice through another dimension...I was involved in every aspect of the decision-making process – it seems easy because I always get this feeling inside: I know if something is right or wrong. Each detail needs to 'wow' me or it is not an option; that's my way of composing perfection."[3]

A commercial was filmed in August 2012. The promotional internet ad leaked online on October 27, 2012. The commercial uses Minaj's song "Whip It" from her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded as the theme song, and shows a giant Minaj dressed in a pink wig, tutu and bra, wandering through New York City. Then, as she sprays others with the fragrance, they also become giants.

The official fragrance commercial was released November 16, 2012, shot by Howard Huang. Which featured Minaj laying in a field of black roses. She then cuts herself by touching the thorn of a rose, and bleeds pink blood. The roses then become pink, and so do her eyes, as her skin apparently slowly turns to solid gold. The perfume bottle is then shown, with the fragrance name being whispered calmly. The commercial features her single "Freedom" Minaj held two fragrance launches at Macy's, the first on September 24, 2012 in New York City, and the second on November 29, 2012 in Sydney. To promote the fragrance Minaj appeared on many television networks to promote the release of her fragrance such as The View, Good Morning America, and 106 & Park.

For the United Kingdom releases of Pink Friday, Minaj presented four bottle outfit designs on March 4, 2013, which were designed in similar outfits Minaj herself has worn, all named under the imprint "Couture By Minaj" exclusively sold at Selfridges in the UK.[5] Speaking of the exclusive release of outfits for the UK's launch, Minaj said "For the Couture the designers took direct inspiration from my outfits, so there is a dark, sexy moment, a fun, pink moment and more of a fairytale, fantasy moment. It’s indicative of my personality; I like to change my hair, my clothes, my makeup a lot [...] I know my UK fans are getting the scent later, but now they get to play dress up with it, and no one else does."[6]

For the release of Pink Friday Deluxe Edition, two more outfits were announced for special release in Germany.

Pink Friday Special Edition is a limited edition fragrance by Nicki Minaj. It is her 1st limited edition fragrance, and 2nd scent overall. The bottle has the same shape as Pink Friday and Pink Friday Deluxe Edition, but will be refreshed with a new color combination of a white wig and transparent body.

Pink Friday Deluxe Edition is a limited edition fragrance by Nicki Minaj. It is her 2nd limited edition fragrance, and 4th scent overall. The bottle has the same shape as Pink Friday and Pink Friday Special Edition, but will be refreshed with a new color combination of a black wig and gold body.